Excerpts from HB 1125, the Transportation Budget for the state of Washington:

*{+ NEW SECTION. +} Sec. 228. FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION--WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES CONSTRUCTION--PROGRAM W Puget Sound Capital Construction Account-- State Appropriation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 140,135,000 Puget Sound Capital Construction Account-- Federal Appropriation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 29,575,000 Passenger Ferry Account-- State Appropriation. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .$ 789,000 Motor Vehicle Account-- State Appropriation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 116,221,000

TOTAL APPROPRIATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 286,720,000

{+ NEW SECTION. +} Sec. 229. FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION--MARINE--PROGRAM X Marine Operating Account --State Appropriation ........... . . . . . . . . . .$ 303,014,000

PART IV TRANSFERS AND DISTRIBUTIONS {+ NEW SECTION. +} Sec. 401. FOR THE STATE TREASURER--BOND RETIREMENT AND INTEREST, AND ONGOING BOND REGISTRATION AND TRANSFER CHARGES: FOR BOND SALES DISCOUNTS AND DEBT TO BE PAID BY MOTOR VEHICLE FUND AND TRANSPORTATION FUND REVENUE Highway Bond Retirement Account Appropriation . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .$ 184,810,000 Ferry Bond Retirement Account Appropriation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 53,353,000

FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION--WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES CONSTRUCTION--PROGRAM W Motor Vehicle Fund--Puget Sound Capital Construction Account-- State Appropriation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$(({- 209,886,000 -})) {+ 192,886,000 +} Motor Vehicle Fund-- Puget Sound Capital Construction Account--Federal Appropriation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 30,165,000

Motor Vehicle Fund--Puget Sound Capital Construction Account--Private/Local Appropriation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 765,000

Transportation Fund--Passenger Ferry Account-- State Appropriation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 640,000

TOTAL APPROPRIATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$(({- 241,456,000 -})) {+ 224,456,000 +} Sec. 517. 1998 c 348 s 219 (uncodified) is amended to read as follows: FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION--MARINE--PROGRAM X Marine Operating Fund-- State Appropriation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$(({- 270,522,000 -})) {+ 270,473,000 +}

-- Westin (86se4sp@my-deja.com), August 26, 1999

Answers

Now... I'm not a numbers cruncher by any means. But this represents a damned site more money then the N/S freeway costs.

Down here in CC, estimates are that 45,000 people a day commute from CC to Portland... and we only have 2 bridges that get it done. One of them, the I-5 bridge, was built in 1913. It most probably should be replaced by a West Seattle bridge style structure... and soon.

Yes, I recognize that the Columbia River is not the same thing as Puget Sound. But I also recognize that the people who use the ferries are no more privleged then I am; that they are no more deserving of such a huge government subsidy for THEIR choice of transportation while, comparitively speaking, the rest of the people of this state have next to no money spent for their needs.

People may argue as to the efficacy of these expenditures. I'm sure that many will have several good, and telling points. But the end result is this: The people outside the 8 counties are subsidizing those that live within the Puget Sound region.

Good thing? Bad thing? Who knows? But undeniably a FACTUAL thing... and the resentment of such a system is both natural, and human nature.

That's a whole lot of money going to you in the Sound Area. Don't be surprised that I resent money from MY pocket going directly to support YOUR "Island Lifestyle."

Westin

-- Westin (86se4sp@my-deja.com), August 26, 1999.

Westin-

Recommend you see Henriksen's posting on "Eastern Washington Supports I-695".

Craig

-- Craig Carson (craigcar@crosswinds.net), August 27, 1999.

Thanks, Craig!

Westin

-- Westin (86se4sp@my-deja.com), August 27, 1999.